Deep well cooker



A ril 14, 1953 E. A. RUTENBE R 2,635,172

DEEP WELL COOKER Filed July 31, 1948 3 Sh eets-Sheet l 'E. A. Ru'rENBER DEEP WELL COOKER April 14, 195

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 51, 1948 April 14, 1953 E. A. RUTENBER 2,535,172

DEEP WELL COOKER Filed July 31, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l5 I 20 I I 4 26E fi mmmmmuh. A

Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEEP 'WELL COOKER Edwin A. Rutenbe -Greenville, Mich., assignor to Gibson Refrigerator Mich a corporation of'Michigan Application J uly31, 1948,"Serial" No. 41,865

'lClaims. 1

This invention relates to a deep well cooker *andmethod of producing same. The invention is particularly useful in connection with a deep well cooker in which the heating element may :be. supported in thelowerportion of'the well and alternatively in the upper portion ofthewell for surface cooking.

.Anobjectof the invention is toprovidea deep well cooker structureof novel arrangement :and :to .providealso ia'new method of combining the parts of the structure into an integrated whole. Another object is to provide a deep wellcasing .or pot of'unique construction and in which a heater or burner element is 'slidably mounted for movement to elevated and lowered positions. :Still another object is .to provide a method of fabrication permitting the employment of thin heat-reflective metal, such as for example, stainless steel etc., while providing effective means for reinforcing the thin metal'to form a structurally sturdy pot or casing. Another object is .to provide a process by which a plurality of casing segments or-sections may be rapidlyin- .tegrated-to form .a complete casing through the use of channel members which are interlocked with the sections both against lateral movement and longitudinal movement, and which permit ready assembly by welding, etc. Other specific objects and advantages will appearas thespecification proceeds.

The inventionis illustrated, in a single embodiment, by the accompanying drawings, in

ofIFig. l;'F"lg. 4, abroken side view in elevation;

Fig. 5, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. .6, a perspective viewof a modified form of structure embodying my invention; and ,Fig. 7,

asectional view, the section being taken'as indicated atlinel of Fig. 6.

.It is desired that the walls of the deep well cooker be reflective of heat. Stainless steel is admirably suited for this purpose, the casing sheets being Of very thin cross-section. The heat i radiated from the burner element is reflected inwardly .by the walls of the well or cylinder casing and suchheat is thus confined for use in the area below the cooking vessel. The thin reflective metal, if pierced to create apertures straight .edge 1-! Company, Greenville,

.for guide :members iforthe burner, is weakened along :such lines anditisextremely difficult to form accurate channels without distorting the cylindrical structure.

Ihave discovered that an-undistorted and true cylindrical casing body can be produced while utilizing-extremely thin metal if the cylinder is iiormedin a plurality of sections cut to predetermined shapes and if flanged channel members ,are'employed at spaced intervals for uniting the sections. Thelocking-and bracing effect of the channel members is enhanced by having the channels turned laterally at their top portions so that they may be anchored within recesses provided for them .in the precut sections. By bringing the sections together with the channel members therebetween in interlocking position, final fabrication by'welding, etc. is rendered-easy andaccurate. The channel members preferably terminate short of the top .and the bottom of the cylindricalcasing and I utilize rings at the top and the bottom for securing'the ends while at the same time providing a flange for suspending the wellfrom :the top of the range.

In the illustration given, designates a sec- .tion .of a cylindrical casing. I prefer to form the sections of substantially the same size and shape .to facilitate manufacture but it will be understood that they may be formed of difierent shapesand they may be brought together in any desired number for the forming of a completed cylinder. In the specific illustration given, I provide 3 sections ill] for the forming of acomplete cylinder. In the illustration given, the section 1.0 is provided at one side with a relatively and at the top .is provided with an outwardly turned portion l2, as shown more clearly inFig. 2. The other side of the section I'll is also provided with a, relatively straight edge 13 which, .near the .topof the section, is curved inwardly, .as indicated at M, terminating in a semi-circular recess [5. Above the recess l.5,'the Wallis substantially straight as indicated at [5. One of the sections In may be punched to providea'hole I! through which the electric cable I8 may be passed.

Between each of the sections, Fig. v2, is a channelorguideimember IS. The memberlfiis U-shaped and has its inner-ends turnedlaterally to provide flanges '26 adaptedto lie against the inner walls of the sections l9. .At its upperend, the channel-member I9 is turned laterally along acurved portion 2| and terminates inarounded socket 22 adapted tobe snugly received .within the semi-circular opening 15 of the adjacent section 10. I V

asshown best in The guide member or channel member l9, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and e, terminates a spaced distance below the top of the united sections and a short distance above the bottom of the united sections.

The sections it may be formed in a variety of ways. They may be cut from flat strips of metal and then formed to arcuate shape illustrated in Fig. 2 or they may be preliminarily formed in the arcuate shape and cut to the desired pattern while in such form.

The sections it may be united with the guide members or channel members it by bringing the sections together with the flanges 29 of the channel members lying against the inner walls of the sections ii). The parts are then united by spot welding 23 at spaced points, as indicated.

It will be understood that the parts may be united by any other suitable means. The resulting integrated cylinder structure is extremely sturdy even though the walls are formed of thin metal because the channel members it provide vertical reinforcing posts or ribs while at the same time the laterally extending top portion of the channels provide a stiffening of the cylinder body along a circumferential area. At the same with respect'to the adjacent section. The channel is thus anchored not only by the welding but also by engagement with the section edges both in the lateral planes and in the vertical plane.

After the cylinder has been constructed as described, I prefer to attach to the top of the cylinder a ring as equipped with a laterally extending suspension flange 25. The flange 25 is useful in supporting the cylinder upon the range top. A second ring-25 is drawn around the bottom portion of the cylinder and may be united thereto by screws 27, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5. Integrally formed withthering 26 is a bottom Wall 28 which may be provided with a central aperture 29. If desired, the-bottom wall or flange may be provided with a concentric ring of small apertures 38, as shown more clearly in Fi 5.

Prior to the securing oi the ring 26 about the bottom of the cylinder, I prefer to introduce the heating element and the support structure 3! therefor into the interior of the casing. The support structure 3! in the illustration given, is provided with a sleeve portion 32 having 3 laterally extending guide studs 33. The studs may be provided with reduced portions extending through apertures 34 in the sleeve and secured thereto by peening over the inner portion of the lug to form the head 35, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The support structure 35 is provided with spider arms 36 which extend inwardly and are secured within a cylindrical center member 31. Upon this frame work are supported the electric resistance heating elements 38. The electric cable I8 which extends through the hole IT at the bottom of the casing extends upwardly and is connected to a bracket 39 secured to the frame. From the bracket, individual electric cords lead to contacts for the electric resistance elements, as in the conventional electric burner structure.

Just prior to the attachment of the ring 26 to the cylindrical casing, I prefer to introduce the burner structure through the bottom portion of the cylinder, bringing the guide studs 33 into 4 alignment with the channel or guide members I9. The guide members i9 thus provide tracks for the guide studs 33. The ring 26 is then secured in position and the wall 28 provides an apertured closure for the deep well pot.

In operation, the burner structure may be raised to an upper position, the guide members l9 serving to direct the guide studs 33 laterally as they approach the top of the guide members and until the studs fall into the socket or seat 22. The movement laterally into the seat is automatic, it being necessary only for the operator to lift the burner upwardly by means of a handle or by grasping the burner directly. Upon release of the burner element, the lugs 33 fall into the seats 22 and are there securely held against downward movement. By preforming the channel members in a die, a very smooth surface is provided so that the guide studs of the burner readily slide along the inner surfaces of these guides. V

The supporting structure 3! for the burner element preferably is provided with an inner sleeve wall so and between the sleeves extends a flat ring portion M forming a companion ring with the laterally extending flange 25. The carrier or support structure 3i may be formed of any suitable material and in any desired shape.

When the burner is to be used in a deep well position, it may be lifted slightly and rotated to bring the guide lugs 33 into alignment with the vertical track of the guide member and the burner may then be lowered to a position in which the guide studs 33 rest'upon the edge of the lower ring 26.

In the structure shownin Figs. 6 and 7, the upper ring 2e41, is united with the lower ring 26a by channel members l9a and the sections 10 are omitted. I prefer to extend the upper flange 42 of each channel member 19a so as to enclose the ring portion 2411, as shown more clearly in Fig. '7. I prefer to cut away the channel portion of the member |9a at 33 so that it rests upon the top of ring 26, as shown best in Fig. 4, the flange portions 20a extending inwardly along the inner walls of the ring 26a. The parts are united by spot welding, as indicated, or by any other suitable means.

While in the foregoing description I have referred to stainless steel as illustrative of reflective metals which may be used, it will be understood that other reflective metals of difierent compositions and alloys of metals may-be us'ed for the purposes described. Further, different parts of the structure may be formed of diflerent metals or alloys.

While in the forgoing specification, I have set forth a specific structure in great detail as illustrative of the invention, it will be understood that such details of structure may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. A cylinder casing adapted for use with a deep well cooker, comprising a plurality of armate sections of relatively thin corrosiveresistant steel, U-shaped members between said sections and having on their inner sides laterally extending flanges abutting the inner Walls of the sections and overlapping the joints of the sections, said U-shaped members being turned laterally at their upper ends to form seats, said sections having recesses therein adapted to receive said laterally turned U-shaped members, and means securing said flanges to said sections.

2. A cylinder casing adapted for use with a deep well cooker, comprising a plurality of substantially equal arcuate sections of relatively thin corrosive-resistant metal equipped at their upper portions with recesses, U-shaped members between said sections and having on their inner sides laterally extending flanges abutting the inner walls of the sections to be joined, said U- shaped members being turned laterally at their upper ends along a curved line to form seats and being received within said recesses of the sections, and means securing said flanges to said sections.

3. In a deep well cooker, a cylinder comprising a plurality of arcuate sections of relatively thin corrosive-resistant steel, U-shaped members extending vertically between the sections and having on their inner sides laterally extending flanges overlapping the sections, said U-shaped members terminating short of the top of the sections, and a ring secured to the top portions of said sections and having an outwardly extending flange for supporting the cylinder on a range top, and means connecting said flanges and the sections to form a cylinder.

4. In a deep well cooker, a cylinder comprising a plurality of arcuate sections of relatively thin corrosive-resistant metal, U-shaped members extending between the sections and having on their inner sides flanges extending laterally and overlapping the sections, means connecting said flanges and sections, said U-shaped members terminating short of the bottom, and a ring encircling the bottom portion of the section and having a flange extending inwardly to provide a bottom for the cylinder.

5. In a deep well cooker, a cylinder comprising a plurality of arcuate sections of relatively thin corrosive-resistant metal, U-sha-ped members extending vertically between the sections and having on their inner sides laterally extending flanges overlapping said sections, means connecting said flanges and sections, said U-shaped members terminating short of the tops and bottoms of said sections, and rings secured to the top and bottom portions of the sections, said bottom ring having an inwardly extending apertured flange providing a bottom for the cylinder.

6. In a deep well cooker, a cylinder comprising a plurality of arcuate sections of relatively thin corrosive-resistant steel, U-shaped members extending vertically between the sections and having on their inner sides laterally extending flanges overlapping the sections, means connecting said flanges and sections, a burnerequipped carrier with guide studs received within the U-shaped members, said U-shaped members being turned laterally at their upper portions to provide seats for supporting the guide studs in elevated position.

7. In a deep well cooker, a cylinder comprising a plurality of relatively thin stainless steel sections, said sections having laterally extending recesses therein, U-shaped members extending vertically between the sections and having laterally turned portions adapted to be received within the recesses of said sections and having laterally turned flanges overlapping the sections, means connecting the flanges and sections to form a complete cylinder, a ring secured to the top of the cylinder and having a flange for suspending the cylinder upon a range top, a second ring encircling the lower portion of the cylinder and having an inwardly turned flange providing a bottom wall for the cylinder, and a burnerequipped carrier equipped with guide studs engaging the U-shaped members, said guide studs when moved into the laterally extending portions of said U-shaped members being supported thereby against downward movement.

EDWIN A. RUTENBER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 299,710 Wolf June 3, 1884 1,348,328 Sonneborn Aug. 3, 1920 2,073,684 Coakley Mar. 16, 1937 2,340,595 Jones Feb. 1, 1944 2,416,645 Rutenber Feb. 25, 1947 2,442,659 McCormick June 1, 1948 2,481,227 Kuenne Sept. 6, 1949 2,485,698 Chesser et a1. Oct. 25, 1949 2,497,258 Chesser et a1 Feb. 14, 1950 2,551,441 Kuenne May 1, 1951 

